'Reconaissance through Baluchistan and Seistan, 1897' [‎25r] (54/120)

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CHAPTER IV.
Exploration of the District in the West and South.
Early in September we left the main camp at Kosha Pain, having as our ( J b J? ct th ® IhTSt-
exploration and survey of the mountainous country on the west and south. Mistortun ^ lag in
doLed our steps the entire journey ; on the third march we were literally devoured by a sahne
miSTons of the “ Sabzadang ” flies, consequent on the advance party going too dose a ong san
the swamp at the south-east end of the Hamun. . ,,
The horses being so exhausted (and in a frenzied state from the flies) after a gallop
of 6 miles to intercept a gang of robbers who had attacked my Girdi post on the nig i
of 25th August, an unforeseen consumption ot water took place. , ,,
We had brought sufficient water to carry the party four marches across the salt
desert, but, to add to our discomfort, a blinding saline sandstorm arose and delayed us.
It was impossible to march in the teeth of so violent a blinding and choking storm, so
we had to bivouack that night and next day on the barren, saline-swept plain. As ma}
be imagined, mid-day in this climate was fairly warm, so we were forced to cook our
cofiee and drink the intensely salt water at this part of the Hamun.
The following day, having made a forced march into the insterstices or the mils,
where we were led to believe we should find sweet water, the supply, though c ear,
sparkling, and inviting (and liberally partaken of by all), in a few days turned out to have
a most disturbing influence on both human and equine members ot the par y. , . . f
The geological stratum of these hills (chiefly limestone) causes the springs at their rau tio, of
base to be highly charged with alkaline and other salts, and the further we penetrated
into the heart of these hills the more poisonous and unpalatable became the water, it
was not only surcharged with the above-noted salts, but also polluted with animal am
bird excreta who frequent these parts. . ,, . ... i * i T
One well was so bad several of the party got choleraic attacks, which comp e e v
prostrated us for 36 hours. We cast ahead a few more marches to complete the recon
naissance, but fared no better in our water supply. Being now five long marches from
Neh, the nearest town, and eight from our depot, I decided to return and leave nothing
to chance in the matter of further supply, though we were forced to drink this horrible
stuff on the return journey. Five rapid and intensely cold night marches (to avoid t ie
inevitable thirst by day) brought us in an exhausted condition to our depot, where we ay
prostrate with low fever and dysentery for 10 days. . . . , Q , n .
The general character of the country trans-Hamun, i.e., intervening between Seistan Charaeter
and Dash-i-Kerman, consists of innumerable parallel ranges rising to altitudes varying couutry>
from 3,000 to 9,920 feet approximately. The general trend of tne ranges is north-west
and south-east, and they are chiefly composed of barren limestone with an outcrop ot
black trap and schists. , 1
Harrow torrent beds tortuously wind their way through the hills, the ranges m the
interstices being separated by narrow valleys of low spur hills, and again by broad saucer-
shaped plateaux liable to inundations during rains, leaving saline crustatious-like deposit
after evaporation and desiccation, mapping out well-defined miniature Hamms, bcatteie
throughout the valleys and plateaux are numerous springs and wells (vide Appendix hr
and Map Ho. 2); there are no villages or settled habitations. > .
Homad Baluch frequent the vicinity of springs and wells, pasturing their flocks
The routes intersecting these hills along the dry beds of the Butak, Kundi, Turshab, Routes.
Baluchad, and Hurmak rivers are practicable for horsemen and laden camels. At
reasonable distances water is procurable from springs and wells, and can be relied on during
the winter months. Supplies are not procurable, excepting sheep (from nomads), fuel,
and camel grazing. ^ „ . . j o i i
These hills command the roads leading to and from Heh, ISasrabad, and Sarhad.
The month of September was not unpleasant in these hills, nights cold, the hot stagnant
air in the confines of the valleys during the warmer months rendering them unsuita b e
for occupation.
* Two kafilas, respectively consisting - of 54 camels and 23 donkeys, and 29 camels and 18 donke\s, with
grain, were also mixed up in this storm ; they were on their way to Ghain.
(907) M